Confronting a highly complex global political matrix, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held high-stakes bilateral talks in Pyongyang on Monday, locking in a comprehensive agreement to fortify their strategic partnership, elevate mutual security, and robustly defend their respective sovereignty and development interests.
The landmark summit, held at the luxurious Kumsusan State Guesthouse, serves as the centerpiece of President Xi’s two-day state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), marking his first trip to the nation in seven years and his premier international tour of 2026. The visit coincides with a significant historical milestone, marking the 65th anniversary of the Sino-North Korean Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance.
During their closed-door discussions, President Xi explicitly underscored that the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China (CPC) maintain an unwavering, permanent commitment to preserving and nurturing their traditional, decades-old alliance with Pyongyang, regardless of shifting international headwinds.
Xi made the remarks during his talks with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.
Xi noted that after seven years, he is very pleased to once again visit the beautiful city of Pyongyang, and feels especially warm and familiar.
Xi noted that friendship passed down from generation to generation and a shared future and mutual support have always been the defining features of China-DPRK relations.
Xi pointed out that in the face of the profound changes unseen in a century that are accelerating across the world, the two sides should take a broad and long-term view, build on past achievements and open up a new future, draw wisdom from the development process of the relations between the two parties and the two countries, seize opportunities in the prevailing trend of human history, inject new contemporary connotations and strong impetus into the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, and open up a brighter prospect for the socialist cause of the two countries as well as regional peace and development.
Both sides should enhance exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement, military affairs and others, implement the important consensus reached between the two leaders, and pool wisdom and strength for the development of China-DPRK relations, Xi said.
The two sides should stay committed to the goal of delivering benefits to the people and elevate the level of practical cooperation, Xi said. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, and expand practical cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology, as well as health care, to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, he said.
Leader Kim Jong Un warmly lauded President Xi for selecting the DPRK as his first foreign destination of the year, describing the decision as a profound demonstration of the top priority Beijing places on their historic, “blood-forged” friendship. Kim further solidified the alignment by explicitly reiterating Pyongyang’s absolute, unconditional support for the “One China Principle.”
This visit once again clearly demonstrates that the DPRK-China relationship is unbreakable, Kim said. Calling the bilateral ties time-tested, Kim said that the bilateral ties have always stood on the right side of history and championed autonomy and justice.
The special nature of the bilateral relations lies not only in the fact that the two countries are close neighbors, but also in the deep traditional friendship and shared ideals and convictions, which both sides cherish and are committed to carrying forward from generation to generation, Kim said.
Kim said that the DPRK is pleased to see that, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi, China has achieved development accomplishments that have amazed the world and significantly enhanced its international status.
He noted that the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi carry profound significance for promoting world peace and development, and have won the support and appreciation of people around the world.
Kim said that the international community is undergoing unprecedented and profound changes in recent years, stating that the DPRK will unwaveringly uphold the one-China principle and firmly support China’s policies and positions on safeguarding its core interests.
The high-profile summit opened with extraordinary diplomatic pageantry at Kim Il Sung Square. Escovered by a 21-gun salute and a massive march-past by the Supreme Guard Command Honor Guard of the Korean People’s Army, thousands of festive Pyongyang residents lined the streets waving national flags, flowers, and banners reading “Unbreakable Friendship.” Following their formal talks, the two leaders and their wives, Peng Liyuan and Ri Sol Ju, attended an expansive, high-tier artistic gala at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium.
This visit once again clearly demonstrates that the DPRK-China relationship is unbreakable, Kim said. Calling the bilateral ties time-tested, Kim said that the bilateral ties have always stood on the right side of history and championed autonomy and justice.
The special nature of the bilateral relations lies not only in the fact that the two countries are close neighbors, but also in the deep traditional friendship and shared ideals and convictions, which both sides cherish and are committed to carrying forward from generation to generation, Kim said.
Source: CGTN
